• Mark S Lester
  • David Cantrell
  • Matthew Kraus

 

Mark

Mark S. Lester, Partner

MarkLester

 

BIOGRAPHY

On April 1, 2010, Mark launched Lester & Cantrell LLP. Prior, he spent 20 years with a large statewide litigation firm, the final 12 of which as managing partner of  the firm's Inland Empire office and, in 2006 he joined a local Riverside firm, which became Lobb Cliff & Lester, LLP.

 

Mark's practice primarily concentrates on the representation of private business, industry and individuals in litigation and pre-litigation claims arising from professional errors and omissions; and commercial, property and casualty losses, based upon theories of contract, negligence and fraud, product liability, and landowner, developer and contractor liability. He has tried cases in many California counties and the State of Nevada representing professionals, business owners, landowners and operators, product manufacturers and contractors. He has experience in cases involving a broad array of claims ranging from legal malpractice and malicious prosecution, design professional and broker and agent errors and omissions; real property disputes involving claims for damages, specific enforcement and injunctions; ownership of valuable mineral rights, forged deeds and even stolen race horses. He has also tried cases involving contaminated, dangerous and defective products.

 

Mark's practice also includes the representation of general engineering and construction contractors in both public and private works projects in resolving contract disputes, contractor remedies, and job-site accident litigation and claims.

 

Mark serves as an arbitrator and mediator for both the San Bernardino and Riverside County Superior Courts and has lectured to companies and organizations on issues pertaining to risk management, insurance and indemnity. He has also published articles related to his broad experience, ranging from malicious prosecution to rights and remedies under California's contractors license law.

 

ADMISSIONS

  • State Bar of California
  • United States District Court, Central District of California
  • United States District Court, Southern District of California
  • Riverside County Bar Association
  • Associate member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
  • Member of the State Bar Committee on Professional Liability Insurance


EDUCATION

  • University of San Diego School of Law, J.D., 1985
  • University of California, San Diego, B.A., English/American Literature, 1982

 

David Cantrell

David Cantrell, Partner

DavidCantrell

 

BIOGRAPHY

Prior to joining Lester & Cantrell LLP as a partner in the firm's litigation department, David was a partner in the firm Lobb Cliff & Lester LLP, where his primary practice areas included the litigation and resolution of commercial, real estate and professional liability disputes.

 

David has extensive experience representing shareholders, directors and officers of closely held corporations in ownership, fiduciary duty and dissolution disputes. He has also successfully defended several law firms and attorneys in errors and omissions claims and has handled all stages of litigation, including trial and appellate work. David has also drafted and argued motions that have resulted in numerous cases against his clients being dismissed prior to trial.

 

ADMISSIONS

  • State Bar of California
  • United States District Court for the Central District of California
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of California
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • Member of Riverside County Bar Association (RCBA) Board of Directors
  • President of the RCBA Barristers' group

EDUCATION

  • Pepperdine University School of Law, J.D., 2003
  • San Diego State University, B.S., Criminal Justice, 1999

 

 


 

Matthew Kraus

Matthew Kraus, Associate

DavidCantrell

 

 

BIOGRAPHY

Matthew graduated from University of California San Diego with a degree in Political Science with a focus on Law in Society. Matthew completed his legal education at Pepperdine University, School of Law. During law school, Matthew was an Editor for the Dispute Resolution Law Journal and received a Certificate in Dispute Resolution from the number one ranked, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution. During law school, Matthew also worked for a law firm where his practice areas included elder abuse and medical malpractice litigation.

 

Matthew graduated from Pepperdine University, School of Law in 2008, and joined the firm Lobb Cliff & Lester LLP, where his primary practice areas included the litigation of commercial, real estate and professional liability disputes. 

 

EDUCATION

Pepperdine University, School of Law, J.D. 2008
University of California San Diego, B.A., Political Science, 2004

 

MEMBERSHIP

State Bar of California

 

PRACTICE AREAS

General Civil Litigation; Business Litigation; Professional Liability

 

ADMISSIONS

California, 2008

United States District Court for the Central District of California